Born 1865 – Died 1936 • King of the United Kingdom, the British Dominions, and Emperor of India

"In the age of democracy the crown has to be like any other brand...to win the respect of the people."

Starkey 2002

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During the 3rd year of WWI, when family ties to the German royal family became a dangerous liability.  George ordered the British royal family to dispense with the use of German titles and surnames, changing the surname of his own family, the decidedly Germanic Saxe-Coburg-Gotha to Windsor, sparking a re-branding exercise for the Royals. Together with his wife Mary, he reigned for 25 years, during a very stormy period in British history. He was succeeded by Edward VIII.

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In 1914 the First World War broke out. The King made over 450 visits to troops and over 300 visits to hospitals visiting wounded servicemen, he pressed for proper treatment of German prisoners of war and he pressed also for more humane treatment of conscientious objectors.

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George started the annual Christmas Broadcast by the sovereign to the Empire (more recently to the Commonwealth), the first being transmitted in 1932.

Photo: Library of Congress - Bain Collection/Wikimedia

Believed to be in the Public Domain (Age - Copyright expired)